News item: Ravens safety Ed Reed has ramped up his one-sided war of words with the team over the past two days, justifying his desire for a new contract by saying — among other things — that he has given his "blood, sweat and tears" to the organization and wants to be appreciated for playing hurt last year.
My take: Guess I'm old-fashioned, but when you sign a long-term contract and take a huge signing bonus, doesn't that mean you're getting your appreciation in advance?
Bonus take: Yes, I realize that NFL players do this kind of thing all the time, but that doesn't make it right. When you sign a long-term contract, you're agreeing to trade some future earning potential for immediate financial security. When did it become all right to break that promise and demand to be paid on both ends of the risk/reward equation?
News item: Three Orioles — Ty Wigginton, Rick Kranitz and Juan Samuel — were ejected from Thursday night's game in the aftermath of a bad call by first base umpire Gary Darling. Wigginton could face a suspension for allegedly bumping Darling while he was arguing about the play.
My take: It would have been a gross miscarriage of justice if the play had really meant anything, but give those guys credit for caring enough to go postal while their sagging team was getting dominated by Twins pitcher Carl Pavano.
News item: The Ravens open training camp on Monday, when rookies and selected veterans report to Westminster to begin workouts Tuesday at McDaniel College.
My take: Wouldn't you know it. Just when I was starting to get psyched up about the Orioles' stretch run.
News item: The Orioles activated second baseman Brian Roberts off the 60-day disabled list on Friday to make his first major league start since April 9.
My take: Welcome back. Now, O's fans can only hope that his presence has as much effect on the club's underperforming offensive attack as his absence did.
News item: Tiger Woods continues to feel the after effects of his tawdry sex scandal. His endorsement income will drop $22 million from last year, according to a Sports Illustrated analysis of the highest-earning professional athletes.
My take: Tiger will make only $90 million this year, so he'll probably have to cancel the premium cable channels and start shopping at K-Mart.
News item: Major League Baseball announced that it will begin random testing for human growth hormone in the minor leagues.
My take: Of course, by the time baseball and the players union get around to doing that at the major league level, we'll already be on to the next generation of high-tech performance-enhancing drugs.
News item: Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress said this week that he remains unsure whether Brett Favre will play this season.
My take: Don't know about you, but I'm just thankful we're able to get these weekly non-updates.
News item: The University of Southern California has removed Reggie Bush's replica Heisman Trophy and other memorabilia from Heritage Hall after the NCAA imposed severe sanctions on the Trojan football program because of Bush's improper dealings with sports agents during his college football career.
My take: It's not all bad. They kept the O.J. Simpson stuff.
News item: A federal judge in Connecticut has ruled that competitive cheerleading cannot be considered a college sport for the purpose of complying with Title IX gender-equity requirements.
My take: The courts apparently take a pretty narrow view of what is a sport and what isn't, which is fine with me. Now, can somebody file suit over curling before the next Winter Olympics?
News item: Alabama coach Nick Saban blasted agents who make improper contact with college athletes, comparing them to pimps.
My take: I definitely agree. I really have a problem with slick operators who go from college to college exploiting amateur athletes to make millions of dollars. Oh, are we still talking about agents?
Listen to Peter Schmuck on WBAL (1090 AM) at noon Fridays and Saturdays and with Brett Hollander on Tuesday and Thursday at six. Also, check out his blog "The Schmuck Stops Here" at http://www.baltimoresun.com/schmuckblog.
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